|
Seven year-old Stefen had
been diagnosed with autism earlier in the year, and was receiving
services from the provider. And his six-year-old brother Dakota had just
been diagnosed with autism and was about to start services.
One of the realities for children with autism is that adjusting to
change is very difficult. This was especially true for Stefen, who had
grown close to his therapists and was making remarkable improvements. He
had progressed from a little boy who screamed frequently to one who was
learning to use words and connect with his world.
Jen and her parents, Ed and Marcie Escamilla, were very worried about
who would provide services and how the boys would do. They found another
provider, but in April of 2004, that provider opted to discontinue
services to Winnebago County, and once again the boys were faced with a
loss.
Then the family learned about Beyond Boundaries of Autism, a new program
from Goodwill. They were very happy to discover that some of the
therapists the boys had known now worked for BBA. Both boys began
receiving services in May of '04, and continue to learn and grow with
the dedication of their family and the therapy they receive.
These two young brothers are active, sweet, funny, and loving. They
wrestle with one another, care for one another, and fight - just like
brothers do. Their language is improving all the time, they enjoy
birthday parties, riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline, and rare
moments of quiet reading!
Stefen is doing well in school; he excels in math and is having fun
learning to read. Dakota is very social and makes friends easily. Jen
Escamilla is very appreciative of being able to reconnect the boys with
people they had known so well, and is grateful to BBA therapists for the
services they provide and the life-long changes they have brought to the
boys.
Congratulations, Escamilla family! Thanks for bringing The Goodwill
Promise to life.
To
learn more about BBA click here.
Back to People
Next Award Recipient
|
|
